Bournemouth is well known for its miles and miles of beautifully sandy beaches, but I have heard people say that there’s nothing else to do here apart from the beach. With this in mind, I set myself the challenge of discovering 101 Things to do in Bournemouth. And so, here is my list of 101 Things to do in and around Bournemouth, all updated in 2024. And as 2025 progresses, I have started the fun job of visiting many of my favourite places in order to keep the contents of each blog up-to-date.
In addition, as I have recently become a grandma, many of my outings are now with my granddaughter. And I have started a new project entitled 101 Things to do in Bournemouth with Babies and Toddlers. A link to that list can be found here.
101 Things to do in Bournemouth: Contents
My list of 101 Things to do in Bournemouth is divided into the following sections:
- Beaches: Visitors to the Bournemouth area often come to visit the beach, so I have added a blog for each of our 14 wonderful Blue Flag Beaches.
- Festivals and Annual Events: There’s always lots going on in the area, particularly in the summer. To help with planning what to do, there is a separate section for Festivals and Annual Events.
- Bournemouth: Bournemouth is sandwiched between Christchurch to the east and Poole to the west. I have divided the list into sections for each of the three towns, which together form the BCP conurbation. But what if the weather is rubbish? With this in mind, I have added separate Outdoor and Indoor sections for those days when sun, sea and sand doesn’t sound quite so appealing. And also, some of the best places to go Shopping.
- Christchurch
- Poole
- Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Day Trips: Bournemouth is just a few miles from the natural beauty of the New Forest and the Purbecks. There is so much to do within a short drive from here. So, I have added a section on ideas for Day Trips from Bournemouth.
Topics Covered
Each blog covers the following topics:
- How to get to…
- Parking
- Opening Times
- Price
- Details
- For Children
I hope my blogs provide you with plenty of inspiration. And that you enjoy discovering some of the fun activities on this list as much as I have had in researching everything on it!
Beaches
First up, what many people come to Bournemouth for; the beaches. There are 14 award winning beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, detailed below from east to west. With the exception of the first three, they are all linked via the Promenade, which runs from Southbourne, through Bournemouth to Poole. The first three are almost linked by a separate promenade, which runs from Mudeford Quay almost as far as Highcliffe.
- Highcliffe Beach: Shingle Blue Flag beach with coastal path running below the cliffs.
- Friars Cliff Beach: Quieter, mainly sandy Blue Flag beach with good cafe.
- Avon Beach: Family friendly Blue Flag beach with easy access, promenade, restaurant complex and sauna.
- Southbourne Beach: Sandy beach with pop up restaurant offering food, drink and a wide range of entertainment.
- Fisherman’s Walk Beach: Family friendly Blue Flag beach with cliff lift and snack kiosk. On the cliff top are a playground, mini golf course and cafe.
- Manor Steps Beach: Quieter beach with beach lodge accommodation and a snack kiosk.
- Boscombe Beach: Popular beach with pier, restaurants, table tennis, bouldering, volleyball and surf school.
- Bournemouth Beach: Busy town centre beach with pier, observation wheel, restaurants, Oceanarium and amusements.
- Durley Chine Beach: Family friendly Blue Flag beach with pub, restaurant and environmental hub.
- Alum Chine Beach: Popular family beach with Italian restaurant, play ground and sub tropical gardens running up to the cliff top.
- Branksome Chine Beach: Blue Flag beach with popular restaurant.
- Canford Cliffs Beach: Quieter, Blue Flag beach with cliff top playground.
- Shore Road Beach: Blue Flag beach, popular with locals.
- Sandbanks Beach: Popular Blue flag beach with dining, crazy golf and sauna.
Festivals and
Annual Events
One of the reasons I love living in Bournemouth is the fact that there is plenty of entertainment on offer. Throughout the summer months, there are festivals and other events every weekend. Here is a smorgasbord of what is happening in 2025. I shall be endeavouring to check out as many as possible. Get in touch for a handy spreadsheet of festivals with websites, venues, prices and other details.
Festivals and Annual Events
| Event | Venue | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch Cheese & Chilli Festival Food festival with stalls, street food, music and entertainment. | Hurn Christchurch | 17-18 May | 16-17 May |
| Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Classic motorcycle charity ride featuring over 1000 well dressed bikers. | Poole Quay to Christchurch | 18 May | 17 May |
| Christchurch Food Festival Free food festival with cooking demos, music and a sheep show | Christchurch | 24-26 May | 23-25 May |
| Harry Paye Day Pirate themed event that celebrates Harry Paye, local pirate and hero. | Poole Quay | 14 Jun | 20 Jun |
| Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival Festival with stalls, cooking demos, crafts, music and entertainment. | Highcliffe | 14-15 Jun | 13-14 Jun |
| Race for Life Cancer Research UK charity run/walk. | Bournemouth Poole | 15 Jun 31 May | 14 Jun 31 May |
| Shake & Stir Vintage themed music festival. | Southbourne | 28-29 Jun | 27-28 Jun |
| Pier to Pier Swim Charity swim between Boscombe and Bournemouth Piers. | Boscombe Pier | cancelled | 27 June |
| Bournemouth Bus Rally Lots of old buses, classic cars and heritage bus rides. | Kings Park Boscombe | 6 Jul | 5 Jul |
| Bourne Free Pride event with family fun evening, parade and concert. | Meyrick Park Bournemouth | 11-12 Jul | 10-11 Jul |
| Xchurch Music Festival 3 day music festival with 3 stages plus family entertainment. | Quomps Christchurch | 18-20 Jul | 17-19 Jul |
| Bournemouth Reggae Weekender 3 day festival of reggae music and Afro-Caribbean culture. | Kings Park Boscombe | 25-27 Jul | 24-26 Jul |
| Stompin’ on the Quomps Free, family friendly smooth jazz festival. | Quomps Christchurch | 2 Aug | 1 Aug |
| South Coast Wine Festival | Highcliffe Castle | 8-10 Aug | 14-16 Aug |
| RNLI Mudeford Lifeboat Fun Day Fundraising day with SUP race, duck race, fair, music and entertainment. | Mudeford Quay | 10 Aug | |
| Christchurch Carnival Weekend of entertainment including music, fireworks, parade, fairground and river pageant. | Quomps Christchurch | 15-17 Aug | 14-16 Aug |
| Beautiful World Festival Cultural festival with performances, food and products from around the world. | Kings Park Boscombe | cancelled | 20-21 Jun |
| Seafood & Sounds Seafood and music festival with parade and kids’ entertainment. | Poole Quay | 13-14 Sep | 12-13 Sep |
| Arts by the Sea Festival of arts and culture held across the town centre. | Bournemouth | 26-28 Sep | |
| Run Bournemouth Weekend running festival with 5k, 10k and Half Marathon, plus children’s races. | Bournemouth | 11-12 Oct | 10-11 Oct |
| Poole Beer Festival Real ale festival with over 100 beers and ciders to choose from. | St Adhelm’s Poole | 31 Oct – 1 Nov | 30-31 Oct |
| Christmas Tree Wonderland Christmas illuminations, market and other festive attractions. | Bournemouth | 13 Nov – 4 Jan | |
| Poole Christmas Light Trail | Poole | 22 Nov – 1 Jan |
Bournemouth
Bournemouth Outdoor Activities
- Boscombe Arts Trail: A trail of six sculptures leading along Sea Road from Boscombe Beach to the pedestrian precinct.
- Boscombe Chine Gardens: Pretty gardens running down to the sea with a cafe, crazy golf and water themed play area.
- Boscombe Pier: Victorian pier with musical play trail.
- Boscombe Street Art Trail: Follow my route to see some of the great art which adorns the streets of the suburb of Boscombe.
- Bournemouth Gardens: Three linear gardens running along the River Bourne from the sea with cafes, market, tennis courts, street art, aviary and mini golf.
- Hengistbury Head: Headland nature reserve with trails, beaches, luxury beach huts, a Visitor Centre and cafés, ending at Mudeford Sandbank. From here, you can catch the ferry across the harbour to Mudeford.
- Kingfisher Barn: Visitor Centre on the Stour Valley Nature Trail with nature based activities.
- Live @ the Square: Annual programme of summer entertainment including singers, dance lessons and children’s entertainers. There is also a bar, catering and games, such as table football.
- Southbourne Street Art: A trail through Southbourne and along the Prom, taking in some of the area’s street art.
- Upside Gallery: A street art gallery created on the concrete supports supporting a flyover.
- Watch Premier League Football at the Vitality Stadium: Home ground of AFC Bournemouth.
Bournemouth Indoor Activities
- BH2 Leisure: A leisure complex with bars, restaurants, a cinema and other activities including crazy golf, axe throwing and escape rooms.
- Bournemouth Big Wheel: Observation wheel next to the pier, offering views of the town and the coastline.
- Bournemouth Natural Science Museum: Museum where volunteers will tell you about exhibits, offer hands on activities and maybe let you hold a snake or tarantula.
- Bournemouth Pavilion: Art Deco theatre showing a range of stage shows, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy and concerts.
- Bournemouth Pier: Pier with amusements, fun fair, RockReef indoor climbing, dining and a zip wire back to shore.
- Chaplin’s: A restaurant and bar with daily live music. It is decorated with an Art Deco Charlie Chaplin theme throughout.
- Escape Rooms: Escape rooms around Bournemouth.
- Gin Distillery Tour: Conker gin distillery offers tours with tasting, plus a tap room with street food and live music at weekends.
- O2 Academy: Live music venue.
- Russell-Cotes Museum & Art Gallery: Museum/art gallery in a historic house.
- Saint Peter’s Church (Mary Shelley’s Grave): Bournemouth parish church. Best known for housing the grave of Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein.
Bournemouth Shopping
- Bobby’s: Repurposed department store with shops, co-working space and dining, including a rooftop restaurant.
- Castlepoint Shopping Park: Large out-of-town shopping centre with 35 shops and restaurants.
Suburbs of Bournemouth
Christchurch
Christchurch Outdoor Activities
- Classic Cars on the Quay: Display of classic vehicles on the quayside, which takes place roughly once a month between April and September.
- Mudeford: Harbourside village with quay, sandspit and beach.
- Sopley Farm: Farm with Pick Your Own fruit & vegetables, playground, bakery, farm shop and picnic area.
- Stanpit Marsh Nature Reserve: Harbourside nature reserve with lots of birds and ponies.
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Christchurch: Walking route which covers Christchurch’s most notable locations.
Christchurch Indoor Activities
- Christchurch Priory: 11th Century church.
- Highcliffe Castle: Grand clifftop house which was once home to Harry Selfridge.
- Red House Museum: Local history museum in the former workhouse.
- The Regent: Art Deco theatre/cinema offering a range of of films, live shows and broadcasts.
Poole
Poole Outdoor Activities
- Canford Heath Nature Reserve: Heathland nature reserve with trails, wildlife and view across Poole Harbour.
- Compton Acres: Sub tropical gardens.
- English Oak Vineyard: Vineyard tour and sparkling wine tasting.
- Poole Harbour Cruise: Cruises round Poole Harbour including Fish & Chips cruises, musical, party and firework cruises.
- Poole Park: Large park with lake, cafes, playgrounds, miniature railway, sporting activities, soft play and pottery painting.
- Poole Quay: Historic quayside lined with bars and restaurants, with plenty of entertainment during summer from bike nights to antique markets.
- Upton Country Park: Large area of parkland with trails, cafe and playgrounds.
Poole Indoor Activities
- Lighthouse Poole: Arts and entertainment centre, including theatre, cinema and concert hall.
- Poole Museum (closed until summer 2025)
- Poole Old Lifeboat Museum: Museum dedicated to the history of lifeboats in Poole, housed in the former lifeboat station.
- Tower Park: Entertainment complex with cinema, bowling, water park, bingo and soft play plus a range of dining options.
Poole Shopping
- Dolphin Centre/Kingland: Indoor shopping and entertainment centre with food court, library and event space.
Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Across BCP Activities
- Go shopping at a Market: Markets around Bournemouth.
- Hire a Beryl Bike/Scooter: App based bike/scooter hire scheme with 1150 vehicles available across BCP.
- Park Yoga: Free Sunday morning yoga sessions which take place in various parks between May and September.
- Take an Open Top Bus; Details of open top bus routes running along the coast and around the New Forest.
- The Saltwater Sauna: Panoramic beachside saunas where you can alternate between the sauna heat and refreshing sea dips.
- Selfie Wall Trail: Series of street art along the Promenade.
- Watch a Firework Display: Details of summer and November firework displays in and around Bournemouth.
- Wine Tasting: Places offering wine tasting events.
Day Trips from Bournemouth
Bournemouth is surrounded by coastal towns and beautiful countryside, including the Purbecks and the New Forest. Here are some easily accessible day trip suggestions:
- Corfe Castle: Historic castle ruins.
- Durlston Country Park: Country park with stunning coastal view, cafe and art gallery.
- Hurst Castle: Historic castle reached by a mile long spit or by boat.
- Kingston Lacy: Stately home in large grounds with formal gardens and woodland trails.
- Moors Valley Country Park: Forest park with trails and plenty of other activities, including playgrounds, high ropes and a miniature railway.
- Hike to Old Harry: Hike to the famous rock formation in the Purbecks.
- Swanage: Seaside town with sandy beach, pier, steam train and myriad of fish & chip shops. Reached by open top bus from Bournemouth.
- The Blue Pool: Woodland pool which can appear bright blue. It also has tea rooms, a playground and the UK’s longest rope bridge.
I hope you have found the above information useful. We shall be updating throughout the summer as we add to our adventures…
Jane's Midlife Journey 
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